Roop's Fort

Roop's Fort (1854-1854) - A citizen fort first established in 1854 in Susanville, Lassen County, California. Named Roop's Fort after Isaac N. Roop, who operate an immigrant wagon train way station turned into a fortification during the Sagebrush War. Abandoned as a fortification in 1864. Also known as Fort Defiance.

History of Roop's Fort

Established as a home and trading post in 1853 by Isaac N. Roop who came to the area from Shasta, California. Starting in 1854 the determination of who would govern the settlers of the Susanville caused the locals to establish a blockhouse fortification to support their claim of independence from both California and Nevada. The border conflict between California and Nevada resulted in the 1863 conflict known as the Sagebrush War. The conflict was settled with a compromise that ran the California-Nevada boundary northward from Lake Tahoe east of Honey Lake Valley and was finalized by the creation of Lassen County recognizing the desires of the settlers for their own government. Susanville is named after Roop's daughter Susan.

Abandoned as a fortification at the end of the conflict about 1864.

Current Status

Remains of the fort are located in the Memorial Park in Susanville, Lassen County, California. Two original buildings survive (with modifications) and are said to be the oldest buildings in Susanville.

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USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1693338

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Location: North Weatherlow St. and Nevada St., Susanville, Lassen County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 40.4186111 Long: -120.6558333 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 4,196

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 66
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 33

Links:

• North American Forts - Roop's Fort
• California Military Museum - Roop's Fort
• Wikipedia - Roop's Fort

Visited: 22 Mar 2014

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